Karen Carpenter wasn't only the singer for The Carpenters. She was also the drummer. That's awesome.

Well, Ellen clearly isn't going to bring the crazy. These drugs don't take themselves, you know.

I haven't had much interest in the show this year. It was pre-empted by the olympics in Canada for 2 weeks, and I really didn't miss it. And not having watched auditions, I don't know the human interest stories. It's like watching an endless episode of "Star Search." But I'll keep trying.

It's actually considered good mic technique. It comes off as diva-ish, but it is helpful to sound systems and eardrums.

Usually, you can pick who's going home based on the appropriateness of their song…The one with the song about how I'm going home, I've tried my hardest, I won't give up…there's your loser, every time.

Thirded on the awkward moment. I thought Simon was really going to let up after the others hit her so hard, but he couldn't resist.

I thought Ellen's "dentist office" comment was a very succinct way to describe her problem with the song, but it's disingenuous, because any artist who wins this show will be on in the office next year anyway.

I am enjoying Ellen as a judge. She seems to have a good knowledge about music, and her comments seem pretty coherent. It seems like her presence makes the other judges less crazy this year—of course, Randy is turning into the new Paula, but he was right to be critical about last night.

I gave up on my dirty-hippy era when I graduated university. Now I'm well on my way to becoming a mean old man. I think this book only works for people of a certain age.

I would have watched American Idol, but it's been pre-empted in Canada by the Olympics (they're on the same network here). It's actually pretty amazing…CTV's broadcast schedule pretty much just says "Winter Olympics" for 24 hours a day.

I agree about the music rights thing, but do you think they have to get the rights every time they use a song? I would think by this point they have a huge selection of songs that have been cleared for use in the show.

I might be married to Mitch.

Yeah, she did say that. Phil actually wasn't a complete dolt, and we saw some evidence that they actually still love each other enough to have this whole evening. I loved that her dad was the first person to ask her if she was naked under her coat—and the coat switch was awesome. Phil's plan to get rid of everyone…

I liked that Phil's uncertain second attempt to entice his wife was exactly right: "Because I respect her too much…to do to her what I want to do to you." He actually seemed to hit the right notes with her. It's good to see them not failing sometimes.

No, that was the guy that frightened Ellen, I think.

This Season…
For various cable-stealing reasons, I just started watching this season of Idol, and I'd forgotten how much time is taken up with backstory. It got me to thinking about the 180+ people who made it to Hollywood week…

I'm pretty sure if you make it to the top 24, you can't come back. But it does seem that the judges have seen some people in hollywood for more than one season. i don't watch it enough to remember for certain.

I'll echo lots of people here…When i first saw it, I knew next to nothing about it, and was horrified and riveted. We described it to a friend, who said, "Wow. Sounds intense. Want to watch it again with me?" We both paused…

But, honestly, if you hate everyone, including yourself, are you, in fact, a bigot?

Canadians. That's who. Canadian content laws mean lots of extra BTO.